The government of Andhra Pradesh is establishing a cutting-edge food laboratory in Tirumala at a cost of Rs 25 crore. This initiative aims to guarantee the quality and safety of prasadam and food provided to devotees.
State Health and Medical Education Minister Satya Kumar Yadav stated that the sophisticated lab is expected to begin operations next month, incorporating specialised machines known as 'E-Tongue' and 'E-Nose' imported from France, which will identify even minute quality variations in ghee, NDTV reported.
90% Completion of testing lab
The minister announced that the laboratory developments are nearly 90% finalised, with operations set to commence next month and equipment installation anticipated by May.
This laboratory is being established as a result of a memorandum signed on Oct. 8, 2024, between the state Health Department and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in New Delhi.
FSSAI has allocated Rs 23 crore for the undertaking. The laboratory is being constructed within a refurbished 12,000 sq. ft. two-story building at Tirumala.
Able to identify 200 different residues
With 50 sophisticated instruments, the laboratory will perform analyses in microbiology, chemistry, and sensory evaluation. It has the capability to identify up to 200 different pesticide residues, heavy metals, microorganisms, and antibiotic traces in food products and water samples. Regular examinations will also be conducted on TTD's water and prasadam samples.
The laboratory is being outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment to analyse nearly 60 varieties of raw materials utilised in making temple prasadam, such as ghee, cashew nuts, raisins, almonds, Bengal gram, sugar, cardamom, turmeric, and chilli powder. Approximately 40 personnel from the Health Department and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams will oversee the lab.
SIT report on ghee adulteration
As per the SIT investigation, tainted ghee valued around Rs 250 crore was reportedly utilised in the preparation of prasadam from 2019 to 2024, provided in substantial amounts over numerous years.
The inquiry, carried out under judicial supervision and involving both national and regional agencies, has interrogated former officials of the Tirupati Temple Board and scrutinised procurement documents.
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